Most five-year-olds look forward to their birthdays because of all the presents they’ll inevitably get. But Taryn Davies instead asked for donations to Stettler’s Animal Haven Rescue League in lieu of gifts.
“I think that it’s nice for the Animal Haven,” Taryn said.
Her friend Zoe Norman did the same thing on her birthday, so when Taryn’s mom Amber Hunt suggested it to her, Taryn was on board.
“It’s nice of her,” said dad Quinn Davies. “It’s good. She doesn’t need any more toys.”
“Pretty selfless thing you did there, Taryn,” said aunt Amber Davies.
Taryn ended up getting donations from about 20 people, and was able to give Animal Haven food, toys, and about $300 in cash. Animal Haven thanked her and let her play with the foster puppies.
“I think that’s amazing and it’s wonderful,” said Michelle Fisher of Animal Haven. “It’s something that we think is so great because if you reach the young people and then get them thinking it’s a good thing to treat animals decently…then they’ll grow up to be adults who do that.”
Taryn plans to ask for donations in lieu of gifts again next year, and will probably choose Animal Haven again, since she likes animals.
“It’s even more special when it comes from a young person,” Fisher said. “For them to think of someone or something else is pretty amazing...especially at such a young age.”
Taryn said she would want other kids to consider doing the same thing, because it’s nice to help the animals.